Meet the women of Nuffield Health - Emma Lewis

Can you tell us about your role at Nuffield Health?

My role as a Health and Wellbeing Physiologist is to determine clients’ risk of disease by using objective measures such as body composition, electrocardiograms and functional movement. From this, I help to coach individuals on how to reduce their risk of areas such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease through lifestyle and behavioural changes, including sleep, nutrition and physical activity.

I have been redeployed (twice!) to Barts Health Trust in their Occupational Health department at the Royal London Hospital as a COVID-19 Advisor. The decision to be redeployed was easy to make - anything I could do to help. My main role was to advise staff on isolation periods; arrange testing for symptomatic staff and their families; and review and communicate their results. It has been an eye-opening experience to work with the NHS. I am proud to have supported them during the pandemic.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, International Women's Day helps to celebrate the challenges women have faced, some of which we have already overcome, and others are barriers we are continuing to break down.

What do you think is the biggest challenge for women today and what has been your biggest challenge?

I still feel there is an old attitude where women are 'more suited' for certain 'roles', and I feel this should now be history. There is a continuing push for women to be more diverse in roles, but I feel men need to be equally open, or help to encourage this push. My biggest challenge has been inappropriate remarks and actions within a professional environment. Taking advantage of women when they are doing their job is never acceptable.

As a woman in Nuffield Health, I have not faced any challenges because of my gender. I have always felt an equal to my colleagues, no matter what role in the business. All of my colleagues are professional in their role, and we treat each other with respect. I feel there is always a comfortable environment at all of the sites I have visited. I am always pushed to achieve more out of my role, and given opportunities to progress.

Which woman has inspired you and why?

This would be my sister. She is my biggest inspiration as she is successful in her career and in her personal life. She is in a male dominant environment in her job role and she always conquers challenges that face her. She is independent and strong, and I have always had personal goals to achieve as much, and more, as my big sister, and equally be as independent and strong.

Last updated Thursday 4 March 2021

First published on Thursday 4 March 2021